SHARJAH — Not Alone Stories, a mental health storytelling initiative, made its debut in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday as part of the official programme of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SHERAA), marking its first presentation outside Oman.
The session, held on the festival’s second day at the Creative Stage, explored the theme “Belonging and Uncertainty” and featured deeply personal accounts from Emirati speakers who shared their lived experiences around identity, resilience and mental wellbeing.
Speakers Souad Alserkal, Nouraldin Al Yousuf, Omar Al Busaidy and Fatima Alloghani spoke candidly about their personal journeys, creating what organisers described as a rare and open space for dialogue around mental health. Each speaker concluded by asking the audience to reflect on how the story resonated with them.
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The session emerged as one of the most discussed events of the festival, with attendees describing the experience as powerful, healing and deeply human.
One audience member described the session as “raw, honest and brave,” praising the organisers for creating a safe space for open conversation around mental health.
By bringing Not Alone Stories to the UAE for the first time, the initiative aims to expand its regional reach, reduce stigma around mental health and encourage open, compassionate dialogue. Organisers said the positive reception at SHERAA marked a key milestone as the platform looks to engage new audiences beyond Oman.
